Spartan Echo

PF Tyrel Bladen, scoring at DSU. Credit: Matthew Patterson

As the 2024-25 basketball season heats up, both the men’s and women’s basketball teams at Norfolk State University (NSU) continue to shine, demonstrating their skills on the court and making a statement in the MEAC.

The NSU men’s basketball team is building momentum with just a recent win over Howard University, moving their rank to #1 in the MEAC. A key storyline this season is the standout performance of Murray State transfer Brian Moore Jr. from Harlem, New York. The graduate guard currently averages 19.0 points per game with an impressive 55.9% shooting percentage, making him one of the conference’s top scorers and a huge contender for MEAC Player of the Year. His dominance on both ends of the court has earned him four MEAC Player of the Week honors and two MEAC Defensive Player of the Week accolades this season.

”It’s been amazing adjusting to a new team. Coming from a PWI to an HBCU, there is way more culture. There’s a lot of community support here,” Moore said.

Another crucial contributor is fellow graduate guard and captain Christian Ings, the team’s second-leading scorer and primary facilitator. He is in his final season of collegiate play and currently averages 12.4 points per game and 3.5 assists per game. Ings’ leadership and ability to execute on the court have been pivotal in the team’s success.

“I’m just trying to put the bow on the present that I’ve been trying to put together here at Norfolk State. I’m trying to win as much as I can, take the program to heights it has never seen before, and then take my gracious bow out,” Ings said.

The Philadelphia native also recently celebrated a major milestone, reaching 1,000 career points back in November during the Battle of the Bay matchup against Hampton University. 

Jalen Myers, a graduate transfer from UT Martin, has added depth and versatility to the Spartans’ starting lineup (10.5 PPG, 5.4 RPG). Known for his defensive tenacity and scoring ability, Myers has quickly become a key piece of the team’s overall strategy as they look to compete at the highest level in the MEAC.

Fellow captain and graduate forward Tyrel Bladen also continues to set an example through his leadership and defense, anchoring the team with his resilience and focus on fostering team unity. 

“Trying to build a championship team isn’t always butterflies and rainbows,” Bladen shared, emphasizing the challenges and rewards of team growth. 

“My biggest thing is to try to keep it together, keep us strong, keep us enthusiastic, and just keep us focused on that main goal.” 

Head Coach Robert Jones is in his 12th season with the men and has been putting the team hard at work and producing successful results. The team currently holds a 3-1 conference record and 13-8 overall with wins over opponents in various conferences including the CAA and Big South. Jones also received his 225th career victory as head coach following the men’s 105-42 victory over Washington Adventist on Monday.

On the flip side, the NSU women’s basketball team is currently leading the MEAC with a perfect 5-0 conference record and an 18-4 overall standing. The team’s success has been driven by dominant performances from their top scorers, graduate guard Diamond Johnson, and senior forward Kierra “Meme” Wheeler. Johnson has consistently delivered clutch performances (18.5 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 4.2 APG, 3.3 STL), while Wheeler’s inside presence has been a nightmare for opponents since the season began (14.9 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.8 STL, 2.0 BLK). Wheeler also recently notched her 32nd career double-double performance in the team’s 77-69 win against Morgan State University.

Portsmouth native Anjanae Richardson, now in her second season, continues to evolve as a player. She’s currently averaging 9.3 points per game as a sophomore and has been a reliable player for the Spartans off the bench. Richardson attributes her growth to hard work and adaptability. 

“When I first got here, the pace of the game was very fast. Going into this season, I’m starting to adjust more and everything is starting to come together.” Richardson said, “It’s more work to be done.”

Another sophomore player Da’Brya Clark has also been instrumental in the team’s success, showing improvement in all facets of her game. She has started in 15 out of 21 games for the Lady Spartans so far this season.

“I know my weaknesses and I know my strengths. [I’m] getting in the lab and working on weaknesses and my strengths,” Clark noted, reflecting on her growth.

Head Coach Larry Vickers, in his 10th season, has emphasized a team-first mentality, and the players have embraced this approach. Wins against SEC opponents Missouri and Auburn earlier this season proved that NSU can compete with top programs. Coach Vickers has also been receiving recognition as he was named to the Midseason Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year Watchlist on Wednesday.

The Spartans are gearing up for a busy month with their next home game against South Carolina State on February 1st with several more games proceeding into March as the team gears up for the annual MEAC Tournament.